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Category Archives: Healthy Snacks

As I was shopping this past Christmas for some last-minute gifts, a popcorn popper caught my eye. It was a West Bend Stir Crazy popper (the kind where you put a little oil in the bottom). I ended up getting two – one for my daughter and one for my mother-in-law as gifts. Now I had either made microwave popcorn or used a saucepan on the stove in the past. I am telling you, this popper changed our lives. Perhaps I’m being a little dramatic, but it certainly changed the way we make popcorn! Now we rarely make microwave popcorn. We are able to try a variety of toppings on our popcorn while making an effort to try healthier ones. Also, the kernels pop light, fluffy, and delicious! I’m not necessarily pushing this particular popcorn popper, but I now think everyone should have a popcorn popper in their kitchen. Popcorn can be an easy, inexpensive, low-calorie snack option providing a good deal of fiber. Of course, we all know if toppings are not kept in check, it can be a nutritional nightmare. I am going to compare some different types of popcorn, provide a tasty recipe, and encourage popcorn to be a snack staple in your home. What kid doesn’t love popcorn?

Now clearly, nutrition wise the first place winner would be the air popped popcorn. In my house, that has not been the favorite as it my family think it lacks flavor. Remember my motto: It doesn’t matter how healthy something is, if you don’t like it you’re not going to eat it. If you and your family enjoy the air popped, that is hands down the healthiest choice. Now I know looking at some of the others, the fat content seems relatively high. First of all, the Pop-Secret is loaded with trans fat. Whenever you see trans fat on a label, you should opt for another choice. Trans fat is considered a very detrimental saturated fat and not only raises LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) it lowers HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). So you are left with the oil popped popcorn and the two bagged brands.. First of all, depending on how much oil you put in your popper that percentage can go up or down. Generally, 1 tbsp vegetable oil to 1/3 cup of popcorn is the ratio. This makes 2 quarts of popcorn. Positives are you can consume a larger amount of popcorn (than say potato chips, Herr’s Ripple Chips – 150 calories for 13 potato chips, 90 fat calories, 60% total calories from fat, 370 mg sodium). If you use canola or vegetable oil, that is considered a heart healthy fat. You are consuming a few grams of fiber in each serving. The toppings for popcorn are limitless! You may also want to try Kernel Season’s Popcorn Seasoning as a topping. Some flavors include BBQ, sour cream and onion, chocolate marshmallow, kettle corn, and parmesan and garlic. You can also add your own garlic or onion powder, paprika, and experiment with dried herbs. Listed below is a recipe I obtained from www.bellybytes.com

Big League Snack Attack Recipes

1/3 cup butter

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp garlic salt

1/4 tsp onion salt

6 cups unsalted popped popcorn

1 cup thin pretzel sticks

1/2 cup roasted peanut

Toss together popcorn, pretzel sticks and peanuts in a large bowl. Melt the butter and stir in the seasonings. Drizzle butter/seasoning mixture over popcorn mixture, stirring to coat well. Spread the mixture in a large, shallow pan and put it in a preheated 250 degree oven to bake for 45 minutes. Stir with a wooden spoon every ten minutes while baking.

Yields 8 cups

Nutrition Information (Per cup)

136.4 calories, 9.4 gm fat, 1.6 gm fiber, 273 mg sodium

Remember popcorn can be an easy, nutritious snack but varies so much by what you put on it. When conscientious about toppings, popcorn far exceeds many of its snack competitors in the nutrition arena. As I always say, experiment! Ask your child what toppings or recipes they would like to try using popcorn! There are tons of popcorn recipes on the internet. Search away!

“The laziest man I ever met put popcorn in his pancakes so they would turn over by themselves.” W. C. Fields